By Aleesia Benkey, luckywin intern

For more than 20 years, Chula Vista Fire Captain Dangkhoa Nguyen has generously donated platelets to help hospital patients. After one of Dangkhoa鈥檚 platelet donations in March, he was notified by the luckywin that his white blood cell counts were alarmingly low. Shortly after receiving this notification, Dangkhoa was diagnosed with leukemia. Now, Dangkhoa is on the receiving end of platelet donations.

After Dangkhoa鈥檚 diagnosis, he spent about a month in the hospital but was released just in time for a very important day 鈥� his May the Fourth Be With Us Blood Drive. In a show of solidarity, family and friends rallied together to host his blood drive in honor of Dangkhoa. May 4 was chosen because of Dangkhoa's longstanding love for Star Wars films, and many individuals attended the blood drive in costume and Star Wars paraphernalia.

鈥淭here鈥檚 just been an outstanding, genuine concern from the community to support him. Just to make sure that he knows that he is loved,鈥� said Chula Vista Fire Chief Harry Muns. 鈥淗e puts others first, day in and day out. He鈥檚 the person that鈥檚 always present; he鈥檚 there for you. He鈥檚 just such a giving and caring person, and that鈥檚 who he is; that鈥檚 what he represents.鈥�

Red Cross Kearny Mesa Blood Donor Center Coordinator Angela Miller met Dangkhoa in 2006 when she first joined the Red Cross and has grown close with him, and his family. 鈥淚鈥檓 so excited about this drive,鈥� said Angela. 鈥淓veryone has shown up with great energy in support of Dangkhoa.鈥�

The blood drive collected 52 units of whole blood and 28 units of platelets and Dangkhoa's family and fire department are grateful for the support and success of the drive. 鈥淛ust having everyone here at the blood drive, donating to help others, I can鈥檛 ask for more than that,鈥� said Dangkhoa.

While Dangkhoa is on the road to recovery, he will continue to receive platelet transfusions as needed. Low platelet count is a major side effect of cancer treatment. Some types of chemotherapy can damage bone marrow, reducing platelet production. Other times, the cancer itself causes the problem. Leukemia and lymphoma can invade bone marrow and prevent the patient鈥檚 body from producing platelets.

Every 15 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs lifesaving platelets. Platelets are essential to treat cancer, chronic diseases and traumatic injuries. Eligible donors may donate platelets as often as every seven days, up to 24 times a year. For more information on platelet and blood donations, please visit .

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What Happens to Donated Blood

Donors' blood journeys through many steps and tests that ensure our blood supply is as safe as possible and helps as many people as possible. This journey includes six steps 鈥� donation, processing, testing, storage, distribution and transfusion. During the testing phase, blood samples are tested in a FDA-licensed laboratory where trained technicians perform more than 12 different tests on samples from each and every unit of donated blood. Each unit of blood is screened for a number of infectious diseases, unexpected antibodies and a complete blood cell count (white cells, red cells and platelets). To learn more about the blood journey, .